Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms’ future did not look bright when his season ended with a serious spleen injury in Week 3, and many speculated it could end his career as the Bucs quarterback.

Instead, the Bucs are close to a two-year agreement with Simms that will virtually guarantee him $5 million in 2007 with a chance to earn another $1.5 million in playtime incentives, sources told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. Counting all incentives and an escalator clause, Simms could earn about $10 million during the two years, with $7 million of that in base salary and a signing bonus.

Simms has been inconsistent, at best, throughout his college and pro career. Still, he’s clearly the Bucs’ best option at this point and the contract is quite reasonable (in today’s market) even if Simms winds up nothing more than a veteran backup.

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